GSE Solutions, a leading provider of engineering and simulation solutions, has announced a significant collaboration with NuScale Power, a developer of Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology, to advance the simulation capabilities for nuclear-powered hydrogen production. This strategic partnership focuses on developing an Integrated Energy System (IES) simulator specifically designed for High-Temperature Steam Electrolysis (HTSE) mode, a key pathway for efficient green hydrogen generation.

The initiative, which commenced in late 2023, aims to de-risk and optimize the integration of NuScale’s VOYGR SMR power plants with industrial-scale hydrogen production facilities. The IES simulator will model the complex interplay between the nuclear heat source, steam generation, and the HTSE process, allowing for comprehensive analysis of operational dynamics, efficiency, and safety protocols. This advanced simulation capability is crucial for understanding transient behaviors, optimizing energy flows, and ensuring the seamless operation of a fully integrated nuclear-hydrogen plant before physical construction.

NuScale’s SMR technology offers a consistent, high-temperature heat source, which is ideal for HTSE. This electrolysis method operates at elevated temperatures (typically 700-850°C), significantly reducing the electrical energy required for water splitting compared to conventional low-temperature electrolysis. The direct utilization of nuclear heat for steam generation and process heat for HTSE can achieve overall system efficiencies exceeding 50%, making it a highly attractive option for large-scale, cost-competitive green hydrogen production.

According to a NuScale spokesperson, the collaboration with GSE Solutions is pivotal for validating the technical and economic viability of their SMRs for non-electric applications, particularly hydrogen. The comprehensive simulation environment provided by GSE will enable engineers to test various operational scenarios, identify potential bottlenecks, and refine control strategies, thereby accelerating the commercial deployment timeline for nuclear-hydrogen projects. This move aligns with growing industry and governmental interest in leveraging nuclear power for industrial decarbonization, beyond just electricity generation.

The global demand for green hydrogen is projected to surge, driven by decarbonization targets in heavy industry, long-haul transport, and energy storage. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrogen Shot initiative aims to reduce the cost of clean hydrogen to $1 per kilogram within a decade, a target that integrated nuclear-HTSE systems are well-positioned to meet. This partnership between GSE and NuScale represents a critical step in demonstrating the technical readiness and operational robustness required to scale up clean hydrogen production, offering a stable, carbon-free alternative to fossil fuel-derived hydrogen, which currently accounts for the vast majority of global supply. The insights gained from this simulation work will be instrumental in shaping future project designs and investment decisions in the burgeoning clean hydrogen economy.